National FCS All-Purpose Yards Leader on New England Patriots' Draft Radar?

The New England Patriots could use a proficient pass-catcher out of the backfield and New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube seems like a viable Day 3 draft prospect.

Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National running back Dylan Laube of New Hampshire (40) runs the ball / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the New England Patriots have two traditional bruisers atop their running back depth chart, the next step likely involves the addition of a hybrid ball carrier with an ability to flex out to receiver.

Rhamondre Stevenson, when healthy, is a clear RB1 while free-agent signee Antonio Gibson fits in as his top backup. Both men weigh well over 200 pounds and are more effective running in between the tackles than splitting out wide in a pass-catching role.

Jan 30, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National running back Dylan Laube of New Hampshire (40) runs the ball / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

With no Deebo Samuel, or similar talent, available on the open market, the Patriots' most viable means of acquiring such a player is the "draft and develop" route that first-year head coach Jerod Mayo championed during last week's media availability at the league meetings in Orlando.

New England can choose to address more pressing needs early during the Draft and target a local small-school third-down running back prospect on Day 3. The name to watch is Dylan Laube from NCAA Division I FCS member New Hampshire.

The 5-10 Laube was the FCS national leader in all-purpose yards per game each of the past two seasons. In 2023, he earned consensus All-America First Team status while leading UNH in rushing and receiving. Over 10 starts, Laube made 68 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.

Laube, who gained a program-record 295 receiving yards against FBS member Central Michigan, boosted his draft stock during Reese's Senior Bowl Week and subsequently participated at the NFL Combine. The 206-pounder clocked the fastest 20-yards shuttle (4.02) amongst all running back participants. He ran a somewhat pedestrian 4.54 in the 40-yard dash but showed above-average strength by putting up 23 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

The Patriots are no stranger to the FCS talent pool, showing no hesitation to draft Chattanooga's All-Southern Conference offensive guard Cole Strange in the first round two years ago. Quarterback Bailey Zappe played three seasons for Houston Baptist before transferring up the Western Kentucky.